Hopefully we had some winners with some of the earlier races at Woodbine and with the bonus races at Saratoga, as now we bring the Canadian rite of passage of their Triple Crown as we have 13 three-year-olds going a mile and a quarter on the Tapeta in the King’s Plate. This race is restricted for Canadian-bred horses, so that is the reason why this race is not graded. But nonetheless, the eyes of the horse racing world will be in Toronto for this race.
Woodbine Race 11 – The King’s Plate
Favored in this race is the 7 My Boy Prince who beat a field of seven in the Plate Trial last month. He did have trouble at the start of the race rearing up in the gate as the gates opened, but he did settle and came on at the end to win by a length. He is usually on the lead and could be an odds-on favorite who could dominate here in the King’s Plate.
The 2 Rafaroo (8/1 ML) has finished second in both his starts but he did close well in a slowly run Plate Trial last time. He might be a maiden facing winners here, but he could benefit from a faster pace here.
The 3 Essex Serpent (2/1 ML) won the Marine Stakes going a mile and a sixteenth at the end of June and could be on the front end with the favorite if My Boy Prince returns to his normal race running. Could this open things up for the other horses?
The 4 Caitlinhergrtness (12/1 ML) just missed in the Woodbine Oaks last time out. She will get a five-pound allowance as a filly taking on the boys here. She could be right behind dueling leaders here.
The 5 Midnight Mascot (10/1 ML) made a huge move on the final turn and finished third to Essex Serpent last out. The finish could be reversed here if there is a speed duel today.
The 1 Jokestar (20/1 ML) had a mild bid in the Plate Trial and could be getting a piece of the action here at the end.
Although My Boy Prince is going to be very tough here, I think he is beatable. I think the two favorites are going to soften each other up for the rest of the field. Rafaroo should be a horse here that can run all day. Hard Spun’s offspring win on average of 7.5 furlongs, which is the best of the sires whose offspring are running today.
We are going to see who can go the distance and who cannot. I think Rafaroo has a chance to win this with his breeding and the way he has ran so far. Let’s call this 2-5-4-3 and my play is $20 to win on the 2. Best of luck everyone and hope you enjoyed all the featured races at Woodbine today as well as the bonus races I selected from Saratoga!
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